What to Do When Your Car Breaks Down and You Can't Afford Repairs

Cars tend to break down as they get older. You know the car isn't reliable anymore when it gives up on you every other day, and you're tired of paying the repair bills each time. As per an AAA survey, around 25% of Americans couldn't go ahead with their car repairs due to a cash crunch. Moreover, one in eight U.S. citizens wouldn't be able to pay even $1,000 on car repairs. The current financial crisis has only made this situation worse.

So when a car gives up on us in such a dire situation, it's hard not to panic. The fact that you have several other bills to pay means you may have to trim down spending on other more essential needs. But when you have gone through the stream of emotions, take a step back, sit down, and think about how you can get out of this problem.

Car trouble mostly arises with used or older models, and repair costs skyrocket as the necessary parts are unavailable. If you've recently bought a used car, consider getting an extended car warranty from a provider like Endurance. We encourage you to check out Endurance warranty reviews before making up your mind. 

What Should You Do When You Can't Afford Car Repairs?

Try to Negotiate With the Mechanic

Consult your dealer or repair shop about payment options that allow you to be flexible with your finances. Just because you don't have money now doesn't mean you won't have it in the near future. Also consider asking for discounts on repairs. While this may not bear any fruit, it's certainly worth a shot. Lastly, you can explain your financial situation to the repair shop owner, who may empathize with your situation and consider removing a few hundred bucks from your bill.

Speak to Other Repair Shops

If you're seeking an estimate from a car repair shop and feel it's too high, think about getting a second opinion from another repair shop. Keep in mind that this will only work if your car isn't already repaired. So whenever your car breaks down, make sure you get a ballpark figure of how much you need to spend on repairs. Some shops charge based on the type of repairs the car needs, while others charge by the hour. Comparing rates from multiple repair shops could make the decision easier and even help you save some money.

Try Bartering With Friends or Family

If you realize you cannot afford to pay for the repairs, you can try asking your family or friends who are proficient with cars to repair them for you. You can even try asking one of your neighbors to help you out.

Of course, you can't let them do this for free. But instead of cash, you can offer to run errands for them like picking up groceries, housesitting, babysitting, and so on. Or you may have something valuable that could be traded in return for this much-needed repair, like an antique item from your home that you have no use for. 

Pay for Repairs With Your Credit Card

You may find some breathing room for repairs with a monthly credit card billing cycle. It's wiser to choose monthly installment options rather than paying for it in one go. This would be a much smaller blow to your finances than a large one-time payment. While a credit card would let you pay the amount at a later date, make sure you aren't missing monthly payments to avoid paying too much interest over some time. 

Borrow Money From Friends or Family

Nobody understands your financial situation better than your close friends and family. In times of distress, you can always seek the guidance and assistance of your loved ones. Request a short-term personal loan to help repair your car. But remember that you have to chart out a viable plan to pay it back in monthly installments or as a one-time repayment. 

Being unable to pay back the amount in time could irreparably damage your relationship. So stick to your word and make all the promised payments on time, even if they aren't actively asking for it. 

If Nothing Works

In case these solutions don't work, you can take immediate steps like taking public transport like buses or subways to go to work. Commuting this way isn't ideal for everyone, but this could help you keep things steady until you have enough money to pay for the repair. It's important to think of this as a temporary solution. You can even consider carpooling to work with your neighbor until you get back on your feet again. 

If the commute on public transport is taking its toll on you, consider getting a job closer to your home. Although this may not be possible for every profession, it's something you can try discussing with your employer, who may be empathetic to your plight. Alternatively, you could also leave your current job and find something similar close to home. Using public transportation for longer distances can be expensive in the long run, too. 

Conclusion

Take the necessary steps to get your finances back on track, and chart out a plan for your future. If you learn that the repair cost exceeds the value of the car, it's probably better to sell it off. If your car is relatively new, check for its Kelley Blue Book value before speaking to a potential buyer. As for older vehicles, most dealers will buy them for scrap or parts. They could even choose to fix the vehicle and resell it at a profit. 

Being unable to afford a car repair is one of the hardest things to face. But realize that your situation isn't permanent, and if you put your mind to it, financial distress can be overcome. You can even opt for a personal loan to get you out of the rut, provided your credit score is decent. 

While low credit score loans exist, they generally tend to charge steep interest rates. You should always be on the lookout for predatory lending practices that reel you in during your toughest times, only to wreck you later.